President Trump vows ‘only America first’ in his first speech

Washington, Jan 20 (IANS) In his maiden address as President that sounded very like a campaign speech, new US President Donald Trump on Friday vowed to make America great again, bring back jobs, and eradicate “radical Islamic terrorism” from the face of the earth.

“January 20, 2017 wil be remembered as the day that the people became rulers of this nation again,” Trump declared at the start of his inaugural speech, echoing the signature lines of his “Make America Great Again” poll campaign.

Trump promised he would use the next four years to rebuild the nation’s economy, reassert control over its borders and regain respect for the US around the world.

“Every decision will be made to protect American workers and American families. Protection will lead to great prosperity and strength. I will fight for you with every breath in my body and I will never ever let you down,” he said, attired in a dark suit with red tie, and accompanied by Melania Trump in a powder-blue chic dress, after taking the 35-word oath administered by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.

“Together we will determine the course of America and the world for many, many years to come.

“Today, we are not merely transferring power from one party to another…but we are transferring power from Washington DC and giving it back to you, the people,” he said, again repeating the lines of his campaign that Washington had left American citizens behind, and politicians prospered at their expense.

“What truly matters is not which party controls our government, but whether our government is controlled by our people,” he said.

Trump said previous governments had “defended other nation’s borders while refusing to defend our own, and spent trillions of dollars overseas while America’s infrastructure has fallen into disrepair and decay.

“From this day forward, it is going to be only America first. America will start winning again, Winning like never before. We will bring back our jobs, we will bring back our borders, we will bring back our wealth and we will bring back our dreams.”

Trump also thanked the “magnificent Obamas” — his predecessor Barack and former First Lady Michelle — “for their gracious aid” throughout the transition.

He turned briefly to American foreign affairs and attacked “radical Islamic terrorism” vowing that “we will eradicate (it) completely from the face of the Earth”.

In his 20-minute speech, the new President also described America as a nation falling apart. “The crime, and the gangs, and the drugs that have stolen so many lives … This American carnage stops right here and stops right now,” he said.

The President ended his speech with “we will make America great again. God bless America.”

There were varied reactions on Twitter.

“Trump just delivered one of his campaign speeches,” posted one Twitteratti.

Another said “It was a slightly more subdued version of campaign speech, including combative tone &amp; grand promises, w/ stab toward grace notes at end.”

Another posted: “That was like a bad liberal parody of a Republican president’s inaugural address.”

“So, that was a giant middle finger to the Washington establishment. Populist to the core. His core supporters had to love this speech,” went another post.